Obituary of Ruth E. Gilsenan

Gilsenan – On Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 Ruth E. Gilsenan of Short Hills passed away at home surrounded b her family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave, Short Hills on Sat, Jan 3rd at 11:30 AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, E. Hanover. Visitation will be held at The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home 2122 Millburn Ave, Maplewood on Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Ruth (born Ruth E. Garrabrant on September 28, 1918 in Newark, N.J.), a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School (Class of '36), lived a full loving life devoted to her husband, family and the Catholic Church. Mrs. Gilsenan was a 55 year resident of Short Hills, and an active communicant of St. Rose of Lima of Short Hills. She was a past Grand Regent of the Catholic Daughters of America, Treasurer of the St. Rose of Lima Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the St. Rose Rosary Altar Society and a 40 year volunteer at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit. Ruth was a devoted wife who, as a graduate of the American School of Banking, the Professional School of Business and a Licensed Insurance Broker co-founded and assisted her husband in operating the multi-line John P. Gilsenan Insurance Agency. She was the beloved wife of the late John P. Gilsenan. Ruth was also a devoted and loving mother of six children. A daughter, Ruth Gilsenan Vesey, predeceased her. She is survived by five children: three daughters, Mrs. Ann List of Ft. Washington, Pa; Mrs. Marybeth Gorman of New Providence, and Dr. Michele Gilsenan of Short Hills, and two sons, Jim of Millburn, and Jack of South Windsor, Ct. Ruth is also survived by her sister, Elaine Murphy of Iselin., with whom she was very close and communicated many hours on a daily basis; she was predeceased by her brother Christopher Garrabrant Ruth was also blessed as a grandmother and great grandmother. She loved and drew energy from her ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren; she was an avid golfer who always enjoyed rounds of golf with her children and grandchildren, especially at The Roselle Golf Club. Ruth was a member of the Women's Club of Millburn and a member of the Women's Suburbanite Golf Club of Francis Byrne Golf Course in West Orange. Contributions in Ruth's name may be made to the Monastery of Our Lady of The Rosary at 543 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 c/o Sister Mary Martin, O.P. For more information or to send condolences please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com